Saravanan fixes March 23 to debate Zamri over 'vel' slur

Summary

• MIC deputy president M Saravanan schedules a debate with Muslim preacher Zamri Vinoth on March 23.

• Saravanan leaves it to Zamri to choose any venue in Kuala Lumpur for the debate, which will be organised by Dewan Bahasa Tamil Malaysia.

• The MIC leader finds it odd that Zamri disabled comments on his Facebook.

MIC deputy president M Saravanan has scheduled a debate with Muslim preacher Zamri Vinoth on March 23, following the latter’s controversial remarks comparing kavadi bearers during Thaipusam to individuals who are possessed or intoxicated.

The Tapah MP, who is a devout kavadi bearer, stated the event would be organised by Dewan Bahasa Tamil Malaysia.

"I acknowledge that you have accepted this debate challenge. The topic is straightforward: previously, you claimed that Hindus who carry the kavadi chant ‘Vel Vel’ while dancing as if possessed or under the influence of toddy. Perhaps you lack understanding on this matter,” Saravanan (above) said.

He added that Zamri is free to choose any venue in Kuala Lumpur for the debate.

Saravanan also found it peculiar that, despite accepting the debate challenge, Zamri had disabled the comment section on Facebook.

In an immediate response, Zamri congratulated Saravanan for being “brave” to hold a dialogue and said this was perhaps the first time in Malaysia’s history that an Indian and Hindu MP was ready to do so.

Reiterating that he accepts Saravanan’s invitation, the preacher said he hoped the MIC leader won’t pull back from the debate.

“...I welcome his invitation, so I hope this dialogue can happen peacefully so that we can open the minds of all Malaysians.

“And I hope there is no pullback or running away from this dialogue,” he said.

Yesterday, in response to Saravanan’s challenge, Zamri remarked: “Orang menjual, kita membeli” (when someone sells, we buy).

Calls for stern action

Saravanan had issued the debate challenge via video, in which he also urged authorities to arrest Zamri under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).

Calling Zamri "brainless," he encouraged political parties, temple management, religious organisations, NGOs, and individuals to lodge police reports against him.

"I have brought this matter to the attention of the prime minister and the home minister. The home minister (Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) informed me that he had instructed the police to conduct investigations," he said.

Saravanan warned that failure to arrest and detain Zamri under Sosma could cost the government the support of the Malaysian Hindu community.

DAP MPs Ramkarpal Singh and RSN Rayer also condemned Zamri’s remarks, with Rayer filing a police report against him.

National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang called for stern action to be taken against Zamri.

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